Vegas Golden Knights: Expansion Draft Winnipeg Jets (30/30)
The Vegas Golden Knights are the newest NHL team. Over the next month I will take a look at why they took who they did from each NHL franchise.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the 31st NHL franchise. As an expansion team they were allowed to take one player (who was eligible to be drafted) from the other 30 NHL teams. Each team was able to protect either seven forwards, three defenceman and one goaltender or eight skaters and one goaltender. The full rules can be found here. The final team we are going to look at is the Winnipeg Jets.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets have been trapped in the playoff bubble for the last couple of seasons. Not being one of the worst teams, but not being good enough to make the playoffs either. Their depth has improved over the last couple of seasons, giving Vegas a couple of good players to choose from. The Golden Knights could have chosen Marko Dano or Quinton Howden.
Dano is a 22-year-old center, who has been bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL. While he looked like a promising player when he was drafted, he has not quite worked out in North America. The former first round pick, has the skill set, but needs to work on his foot speed to become a regular in the NHL.
Howden is a potential foreshadow of Dano, a player who looked promising when he was drafted, but did not reach his full potential. The 25-year-old center has been bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL and like Dano, he was drafted in the first round. It is creepy how much a like the two are, they both have the skill set to be in the NHL, but need to work on their foot speed. While Dano still has some time, it looks like it could be too late for Howden.
The Knights decided to draft Chris Thorburn, which I was not a big fan of. That is, until a trade was announced. Vegas acquired the 13th pick and a third round pick in 2019 for the 24th pick in the 2017 draft. With the 13th pick, they drafted Nick Suzuki, who I think was better than all the options they had.
What Other Options Did They Have?
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Vegas could have drafted a former first round pick in Dano or Howden. Instead they drafted Thorburn and received a solid trade because of it. Two other options they could have gone with are Ondrej Pavelec and Toby Enstrom.
Pavelec has lost his touch over the last couple of seasons, but was still a very good option for a backup. Despite that, he was a UFA and could have left the team if he wanted to. Considering that he is 30, he most likely would have left for a contender – which he did when he signed with the New York Rangers.
Enstrom is a 32-year-old defenceman, who would have been a good choice because of his veteran leadership. While he has lost a step in his game, he is still a solid bottom pairing defenceman. Although he can still play, his contract of $5,750,000 for the one more year could be a big reason why they did not want him. On top of that, the trade they received for choosing Thorburn was a better choice.
Overview
Vegas decided to draft Thorburn because of the trade they received alongside of him. Being able to move up 11 spots in the draft and gaining a third round pick as well. Suzuki looks like he can become a top six player. With that being said, I believe Suzuki will become the best player out of all the players mentioned above.
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Overall, while Dano was available and could become a good NHL player, I think Suzuki and the third hold more value.